LOOK: Rabiya Mateo's remarkable statements as Miss Universe Philippines
Rabiya Mateo has become one of the most talked-about beauty queens after being crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2020.
After winning the title--the first to be given by the new Miss Universe Philippines Organization--last October 25, Rabiya has shown not only her beauty and grace but also her intelligence in the responses that she gives in her interviews.
On November 15, Rabiya became a trending topic once again because of her interview in Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.
Rabiya shared her sentiments on the Filipinos' struggles in facing natural calamities in the country.
Find out more about Rabiya's answer and some of her remarkable statements as the crowned Miss Universe Philippines in this gallery.
Rabiya Mateo
In just a short amount of time after her win, Rabiya Mateo has been making her mark as the Miss Universe Philippines 2020.
Crown
After being crowned as the Miss Universe Philippines, the public always has its eye on the beauty queen from lloilo City. People are watching her every move and listening to every statement that she delivers.
Miss Universe Q&A
It was October 25 when people became highly interested in the morena beauty. Her answer to the question about whose face she would like to put in a currency became one of the trending topics on social media.
Rabiya answered, "If I were given the chance, I want to use the face of Miriam Defensor-Santiago. For those who don't know, she was an Ilongga. But what I admired about her is that she used her knowledge, her voice to serve the country. I want to be somebody like her--somebody who puts her heart, her passion into action. After all, she is the best President that we never had."
Pandemic
In the Q&A about the COVID-19 pandemic, Rabiya discussed the relevance of beauty pageants.
"As a candidate, I know I am not just a face of Iloilo City but I am here carrying hope and as a symbol of light in the darkest of times. As of the moment, I want to help my community. I want to use my strength to make an impact. And that is the essence of beauty pageant. It gives us the power to make a difference."
Social media
In an interview with Rappler, Rabiya shared the highs and lows of using social media as a beauty queen.
"Know when to turn your cellphone off because there are moments in which people will love you. With one mistake, you will see a lot of bashing."
Win
Fresh from her win, Rabiya appeared on 'Unang Hirit' on October 26 to share that for her, winning the crown is God's will.
"I wanted to win. I did everything. Pero napakarami kasi ring magagaling na kalaban na nakasabay. However, sabi nga nila if para sa'yo, ibibigay sa'yo ni God."
Controversy
In GMA News, Rabiya explained her side in the controversy surrounding her surprise win in the pageant.
The beauty queen said, "As much as I want people to love me, hindi naman lahat magugustuhan ako. That doesn't make me less of a queen. Ngayon, it's a test of character, a test of faith. Pero kasi, I know na I played the game right and fair."
Rabiya's father
In Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, Rabiya said that she has never given up the hope of meeting her biological father someday.
"Sinasabi ko kailangan ko mag-aral ng mabuti kasi kapag nakita ako ni daddy, I'm sure magiging proud talaga siya… Sana through KMJS, makita niya, and malaman niya na yung anak niya, Miss Universe Philippines na."
Calamities
In the same interview, she spoke about not losing hope despite facing calamities.
"Patatagin ninyo talaga 'yung loob ninyo kasi it's never easy to be in that position; mawalan ng bahay, mawalan ng gamit, minsan mawawalan pa ng loved one. Pero habang may buhay pa talaga, may pag-asa pa po.”
Resiliency
Rabiya became yet again a top trending topic in the Philippines when she talked about resiliency of Filipinos in the time of calamities.
She said, "'Yung resiliency, parang overused siya to the point na sometimes we don't look at the problems to find the solution, and we just tell other people na all we need to do is have a positive mindset and we're gonna overcome this."
Solutions
Rabiya added that tangible and visible solutions are needed.
"But where are the tangible problems to help the people being affected by such situation? So, yes, iba 'pag may positive outlook but again kailangan natin magkaroon ng tangible and visible solution."
Learn
For Rabiya, Filipinos will have a better life if there are concrete plans for the members of the community.
"Hindi tayo magle-learn, hindi natin mapapabuti 'yung community natin if puro resiliency na lang.
Miss Universe interview
In an interview in the Miss Universe 2020 pageant, Rabiya Mateo discussed how she faced the pressure as a representative of the Philippines.
She said, "I love pressure, I love criticism, I get better every day with that. You tell me I cannot do that, I turn to you and I'm gonna say that no, I can do it for myself."
Takeaway
Rabiya Mateo shared her biggest takeaway regardless of the result of the Miss Universe 2020 pageant.
"There was a moment when I lost my identity because I was put under pressure... I feel like I am not good enough, I am not a good representative of my country, but I was able to bounce back stronger. If I was able to do that for Miss Universe, I will be able to do that in life. That is my greatest takeaway from Miss Universe."
